As universities make greater use of Internet resources, online classes have continued to grow in popularity and effectiveness. Online courses let students learn at their own pace, accomplish assignments on their own schedules and acquire the same knowledge as they would in a traditional, classroom-based course. Just like traditional classes, online instructors use discussion, assignments and community to educate students. However, their means of execution for these tools are quite different.

Time Management

Both online and traditional classes require students to manage their time wisely. In traditional classes, students structure their time outside of the classroom to allow for studying, projects and homework. However, Northcentral University, an online institution, states that with the absence of regular class meetings, online courses require students to acquire and learn course materials on their own time. According to the "Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks," this freedom is what makes online classes attractive to nontraditional students who may work additional jobs or have family responsibilities that make attending regular classes a challenge.

Participation

Both online and classroom-based courses also assess student participation. In traditional classes, students voluntarily participate in discussions or ask and answer questions. However, according to the University of Connecticut's Instructional Design and Development Guide for Online Students, some people may be shy or unwilling to contribute, leading to a lopsided class dynamic where the same people tend to carry the weight. In online courses, participation is mandatory, usually through written discussions in chat rooms or on message boards. Students, therefore, have the opportunity to hear a wider range of perspectives, including those of people who may struggle with participating in a traditional environment.

Student and Teacher Relationships

In a classroom-based course, face-to-face communication creates a different dynamic for every class. Online classes, however, lack this interaction, requiring teachers to use forums, chats and other online discussion media to build community. The University of Connecticut's Instructional Design and Development Guide for Online Students also states that in terms of group assignments, being unable to delegate work in person can add complications. Similarly, students also lack the opportunity to get to know the instructor in-person. While traditional classrooms let students gain support and personal relationships from teachers, online courses only offer electronic communication.

Assignments and Tests

Traditional classroom instructors can offer virtually every type of assessment, from written work to tests to oral examinations and presentations. However, online classes are more limited in the types of assignments students can complete. Typically, online instructors grade students through papers, open-book examinations and student contributions to online discussions. Because online students must be self-directed, online instructors usually design assignments that are practical in nature. Northcentral University reports that many students find this approach more effective than cramming for tests and quizzes.

Overall Results and Preferences

While some studies show online students slightly outperforming their traditional classroom counterparts, most indicate that there is little difference in overall performance between the two formats, according to the American Sociology Association. However, one major difference is that student-learning style plays a role in each format's success. Students who are highly self-directed, organized and autonomous will likely thrive in an online environment, while those who tend to rely on instructors for direction may struggle. Similarly, extroverted students who enjoy face-to-face classroom interactions may do best in a traditional environment, while introverted students may welcome the solitary qualities of online classes.

About the Author

Kori Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in professional writing and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and has been crafting online and print educational materials since 2006. She taught creative writing and composition at West Virginia University and the University of Akron and her fiction, poetry and essays have appeared in numerous literary journals.